Neoadjuvant hypofractionated radiotherapy combined with pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy for potentially resectable non-small cell lung cancer: A phase Ib study.

Authors

null

Naixin Ding

Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Nanjing, China

Naixin Ding , Lijun Zhao , Shuai Zhang , Ninglei Qiu , Xue Song , Cheng Kong , Ning Jiang , Yang Zhao , Jianfeng Huang , Feng Jiang , Ming Jiang , Zihao Zhu , Rong Yin , Binhui Ren , Xiangzhi Zhu , Ming Li

Organizations

Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Nanjing, China, Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China, Department of Biostatistics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, China Jinagsu Province Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, Nanjing, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, Department of Radiation Oncology, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, China

Research Funding

No funding sources reported

Background: Neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor plus chemotherapy in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become a standard of care. hypofractioned radiotherapy (HFRT) served as an immunomodulator and enhanced the effect of preoperative immunotherapy. In this phase Ib study, we evaluated the safety and feasibility of neoadjuvant HFRT with pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with potentially resectable stage III NSCLC. Methods: Patients with potentially resectable stage III NSCLC with EGFR/ALK wild-type were recruited to receive HFRT to the primary tumor followed by two cycles of pembrolizumab (100 mg/body) plus platinum-based doublet chemotherapy (Q3W). HFRT was delivered using 3 daily fractions, with a dose of 24 Gy for peripheral lesions and 12 Gy for central lesions. Central lesion is defined as a 2 cm area around the pulmonary artery and main bronchus. The decision for surgery was made through multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion within a 4–6-week period after the completion of neoadjuvant treatment. Patients underwent surgery followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab for 2 years. Primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints were efficacy, such as pathological complete response (pCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: Between April 2021 and November 2023, 17 patients were enrolled with a median age of 66 years (range 54-74) and 15 (88.2%) having squamous cell lung cancer. 12 (70.6%) patients had stage IIIB disease, and 10 (58.8%) had central primary lesion. PD-L1 was ≥1% in 9 patients (52.9%). All patients received HFRT and at least one cycle of immunochemotherapy. No grade 3 or high adverse events were observed during neoadjuvant therapy. Only one patient had grade 1 nephrotoxicity, and another patient had grade 2 pneumonitis. A partial response was achieved in 16 out of 17 patients (94.1%), while one patient had stable disease after neoadjuvant therapy. Following MDT discussion, 11 patients (64.7%) met the surgical standards, while the remaining 6 patients were transitioned to definitive chemoradiotherapy. Among the 11 patients who underwent surgery, 8 (72.7%) achieved R0 resection, and 6 patients (54.5%) attained pCR. Only one patient died from intraoperative bleeding, and the remaining patients were followed up. The median PFS was 21.7 months, median OS were not reached, and the 2-year OS rate was 85.6%. The study was terminated early due to slow recruitment. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant HFRT with immunotherapy for potentially resectable stage III NSCLC is a tolerable treatment with an improved surgical conversion rate and pCR rate. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2100045361.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Lung Cancer—Non-Small Cell Local-Regional/Small Cell/Other Thoracic Cancers

Track

Lung Cancer

Sub Track

Local-Regional Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Clinical Trial Registration Number

ChiCTR2100045361

Citation

J Clin Oncol 42, 2024 (suppl 16; abstr 8054)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2024.42.16_suppl.8054

Abstract #

8054

Poster Bd #

316

Abstract Disclosures